Chromium in Drinking Water
EPA limits, health effects, and what to do if your water is affected.
🩨 Health Effects
The EPA MCL covers total chromium. Trivalent chromium (Cr-III) is an essential nutrient at low levels. Hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI) is a probable human carcinogen and can cause allergic dermatitis and respiratory problems. Made famous by the Erin Brockovich case in Hinkley, CA.
📍 Sources in Water
Chromium occurs naturally in rock and soil. Cr-VI is also discharged from electroplating operations, leather tanning, and industrial cooling towers. Natural deposits are found across the West; industrial contamination is site-specific.
✅ What To Do
Standard carbon filters do not effectively remove hexavalent chromium. Use a reverse osmosis or ion exchange filter rated for chromium removal. Community water systems are required to test and treat for total chromium.
Check your tap water for Chromium
Search your ZIP code to see if your water system has had Chromium violations, plus lead testing results and an overall safety grade.
Search your ZIP code →Data from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). MCLs reflect minimum federal standards; some contaminants may pose health risks below these thresholds.